Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer €48
This green-tinted primer evens out redness while also taking away any excess oiliness on the skin. It prepares skin for foundation and also fills out big pores and fine lines. It gives a very matte, almost powdery effect on the skin and keeps make-up in place for longer. I wouldn’t use it every day, however, because it is quite heavy and I’d be afraid it might block pores. Good for special occasions or night time wear, though.
Boots Tea Tree Oil €10.99
I’m sure many of you have heard of this before, but steaming your face over a bowl of boiling water and dissolved tee tree oil is a great remedy to deal with a spate of nasty break-outs. The steam works to open up pores and unclog them of any whiteheads and trapped bacteria. The tea tree oil works as an antiseptic and fights the bacteria which causes spots. This is my rescue remedy if I am suffering from crap-food induced spots, or skin that has become clogged up from sleeping in make-up.
Dermalogica Emergency Spot Fix €16.25
This can dry skin out and leave scaly patches if you’re too generous with it, so only use it as it says on the tin – in the case of emergencies. Dab it directly onto a spot and make sure to moisturise well afterwards. For those annoying, lurking spots that you can feel bubbling up under the skin, it will help to bring them up faster and less angry looking. Still, though, it won’t make it disappear in the blink of an eye – but it will help to lessen the severity.
L'Oréal Paris Pure Clay Detox Mask €7.50
Only recently launched, this little pot of black stuff is supposed to work in tandem with two other masks to purify and brighten the skin. They are designed to target specific problem areas on the face. This one aims to detoxify, clear up blackheads and draw out impurities. It is a good alternative to the nose pore strips if you have sensitive or dry skin.
Facecloth €3 for pack of two in Dunnes Stores
This is a great trick for those of us with skin so sensitive that even the most gentle exfoliators can really irritate it. It is a good habit to get into. Apply your facewash as usual and use the facecloth to massage it into the skin, then rinse and use the clean cloth to remove the rest of the emulsion. It gets rid of any flakey or dry skin just like an exfoliator would, without adding any more harsh chemicals.
NIAMH LOVES . . .
Bioré Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips €13.99
Dermatologists may want to wring my neck for recommending these because they can rip a layer of skin off, but this was my all-time favourite product as an oily, acne-covered teenager. The black nose strips weld themselves onto your skin, clinging onto blackheads, whiteheads and generally gunk-filled pores. There is nothing more satisfying than peeling it off to see all of the dirt you’ve managed to get rid of. They really do work, but make sure you’re well moisturised before and that you close the pores off with cold water after.
